Mumbai is modern and mad, the centre for fashion, film and finance in India. I remember arriving early in the morning in December 2019, and while had expected it would be like Delhi, it was SO much more (in a good way).
This is the birthplace of Bollywood, home to a load of historical monument and sights (e.g. the Victorian train station, the Gateway to India), and is famed even in India for its delicious stand-up street food.
And, of course, Mumbai is infamous for its divide between rich and poor – here is India’s most expensive property owned by its wealthiest citizens… and here are its biggest slums, too.
So being such a huge city, and being quite a daunting prospect (especially if you’ve never been to India before), where on earth in Mumbai do you choose to stay? And… is it safe?!
Don’t worry! To make things easier for you I’ve sorted through the best hostels in Mumbai (by category, as well!) so that you can find the hostel that suits you most.
Brace yourself for one of the world’s maddest cities – and let’s see what hostels it has in store for you!
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Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Mumbai
- Best Overall Hostel in Mumbai – Locomo Hostel
- Best Hostel in Mumbai for Solo Travelers – Forrest Hostels
- Best Cheap Hostel in Mumbai – New Vasantashram Boarding and Lodging
- Best Party Hostel in Mumbai – Hostel Mantra
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mumbai – Zostel Mumbai
The 5 Best Hostels in Mumbai
Some of India’s best hostels are located in Mumbai. Mumbai is a big city, but no matter where you want to stay you should find something comfortable and affordable nearby.
1. Locomo Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Mumbai
- Dorm (mixed): From $10
- Private Room: From $39
- Address: 2nd Flr Krishna Villa, Abv Bank Of Maharashtra, Monghibai Road, Vile Parle East, Mumbai 400057, Mumbai, India
Without a doubt the definitive best overall hostel stay in Mumbai, this place really is a cut above the rest. The kinda place that’ll help you make some pretty sick memories of your trip, it’s got a top-notch atmosphere, and kind staff – it’s also located in Bandra close to the metro and is very professionally managed.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Huge terrace space
- Colorful rooms
- Good food on site
They also take cleanliness to the next level (literally!), so you can rest assured this isn’t going to be like other India accommodation mishaps you may have had. The vibe is friendly and social, and they sometimes arrange nights out at this Mumbai backpackers hostel, which helps to get you into the city’s nightlife without you getting lost by yourselves in this megacity.
Located in a cool area of Mumbai, you’ll can find some very tasty local food and markets.
2. Forrest Hostels – Best Hostel in Mumbai for Solo Travelers
- Dorm (mixed): From $16
- Address: PLOT NO 64, MARKET NO.6, OPP – PWD COMMUNITY HALL,, GOVERNMENT COLONY, BANDRA EAST,, Mumbai, India
Out of all the Mumbai hostels, this one is my pick for solo travelers. Why? Because it’s friendly, and fantastic to stay in! It features clean sheets, clean bathrooms, and a warm atmosphere, plus it feels safe and the staff work hard to make sure everyone has a good time.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Air conditioned rooms
- Free towels and toiletries
- Mini book exchange library
Yep, you can see why this is the best hostel for solo travellers in India. There are great places to eat surrounding this place, so you can head out with new friends to check ’em out. The staff also arrange activities – and they might even take you out to some bars and clubs if you’re up for it.
I love how they have both male and female-only dorms in addition to mixed options. They don’t have any private rooms though if that was on your mind. The place is also extremely clean – but seriously, they clean four times a day! You’ll also love the colourful murals painted on the walls in the shared lounge, which is fab for socializing. Their free wifi is also super fast, which is great for anyone working online!
3. New Vasantashram Boarding and Lodging – Best Cheap Hostel in Mumbai
- Dorm (mixed): From $9
- Private Room: From $11
- Address: 232 Narsihn Mansion, 3rd floor, opp Police Commiss, Mumbai, India
As far as hostel deals go in Mumbai, it doesn’t really get cheaper than this! Set in a historical building that’s been welcoming guests since 1947, this place has a cool atmosphere and the people who stay here are friendly.
It’s basic, but chill, and a great option if you’re looking for a budget hostel in Mumbai to save some cash. There are dozens of beds too, so you’re more likely to find a free space here.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Very low average price
- Private room options
- Close to the city center
It’s not the easiest to reach location, but it is close to museums and loads of great street food so you can continue to keep your prices low. While you definitely shouldn’t expect luxuries or modern amenities here, the vibe of staying in such a historical space on a budget is truly unmatched.
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View on Osprey View on REI4. Hostel Mantra – Best Party Hostel in Mumbai
- Dorm (mixed): From $11
- Private Room: From $38
- Address: Bungalow no. 87, Janki Devi School Road, S.V.P Nagar, 4 Bungalows Mhada, Andheri West, Mumbai, India
Situated in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai, close to bars, pubs and restaurants, this hostel features a load of nice space to chill out in; this includes a lounge complete with a projector where you can watch sports and stuff, plus a rooftop terrace – always good.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Movie nights
- Artsy neighbourhood
- Not too far from Juhu Beach
This Mumbai backpackers hostel is a great place for budget backpackers: there are quite a few local people who stay here, so you get to chat to ’em and learn all about Indian culture. The people who run this hostel want to make Mumbai more of a cool, backpacking destination and are keen to learn more about you!
They have 6 and 9 bed female and mixed dorms, and a slightly more expensive 4 bed mixed option. If you’re in need of a bit more privacy, you can book a private room – there are comfy twin and double ensuites!
5. Zostel Mumbai – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Mumbai
- Dorm (mixed): From $13
- Private Room: From $57
- Address: Karotra Niwas, Near Prime Academy School,, Off Military Road, Marol, Andheri East-400059, Mumbai, India
Part of the Zostel chain of hostels, this place is a vibrant, happy place to spend some time relaxing away from this whirlwind of a city while living the digital nomad life. You can chill in their nice lil’ cafe or the bright common room, complete with bean bags and scatter pillows, – OR their roof terrace.
Why you’ll love this hostel:
- Amazing modern design and artwork
- Cafe
- Bollywood themed rooftop
The space is modern and stylish with ample room for you to pull up a stool, get your laptop out and get working. It’s generally quite a cool Mumbai hostel, which is a welcome break if you’ve been staying in more… ‘typical’ backpackers accommodation till now.
They have a wide variety of dorm options, ranging from 2-8 bed options in addition to several types of private rooms with attached bathrooms. It’s also conveniently located near the airport, and has a fab cafe with a good choice of food.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Mumbai Hostels
A few more epic places to stay in Bombay 😉
Hammock Hostels
- Dorm (mixed): From $19
- Address: 50 A, PLOT 950, HUMA BUNGALOW, CHUIM VILLAGE, KHAR, Mumbai, India
Nice and new, this is one of the cheap hostels in Mumbai that doesn’t compromise on quality. They also have a cheap breakfast on site which is great to get out of the way before hitting the streets. It’s close to both the airport and several beaches which I loved!
The staff at this recommended hostel in Mumbai can tell you all about where to go to eat and stuff so you can find somewhere beyond the tourist traps. Their tour desk also runs excursions to the best places to visit in the city, from historical walks to fun evening activities!
Backpacker Cowies
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Private Room: From $65
- Address: 15 walton road, apollo bandar, colaba, Mumbai, India
If you have had one too many nights in a cramped dorm room and need some space… or if you call yourself flashpacker, this is definitely the coolest Mumbai hostel for you.
Even the dormitory rooms are of boutique quality. Very cool. Minimalist. Clean. Yep, I like ’em. So the unique beds certainly make this one of the best cheap hostels in Mumbai, but also there’s a rooftop terrace, yoga classes, big lockers for your backpack, and some really powerful showers – ideal for washing that city dirt off ya.
Happinest Backpacker’s Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $12
- Address: 22, Bazaar Rd, off Hill Road, Santosh Nagar, Bandra West, Mumbai, India
I love a hostel with a pun name. Here’s one. Other than being hilarious, they pride themselves on positive vibes and creating a happy environment for guests. It’s also super clean and near bars, shops and restaurants.
It’s secure and safe for female backpackers, too. The staff are also really polite and helpful at this recommended hostel in Mumbai, they help to create an atmosphere that’s friendly. The kinda place you actually WANT to come back to after the madness of Mumbai.
Nap Manor Hostel
- Dorm (mixed): From $13
- Private Room: From $43
- Address: 18-137 Govt Housing Scheme,Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Near Vakola Police Station, Santacruz (E), Mumbai, India
Sure, Nap Manor might be a little far out from the centre of Mumbai – meaning you gotta travel far to see the tourist sights of the city; but at least you can escape from central out to this calmer area of town and this nice lil’ Mumbai backpackers hostel. (Which is also conveniently near the airport!)
The staff have created a homely environment here, which is always a plus. And, yeah, the rooms might be basic, but it’s really good value for money AND you get a free breakfast too. The guests at this budget Mumbai hostel tend to be from all over the world, making it an interesting place to get talking to people and learning about other cultures.
Namastey Mumbai Backpackers
- Dorm (mixed): From $14
- Address: Panjwani Cottage, 76 Pali Village, Pali Naka, behind Janta Bar, Bandra West, Mumbai, India
Located between two metro stations, it’s pretty easy to hit up Mumbai’s top sights from here. This place is a good place to stay short term if you wanna see some tourist sights and the big city of Mumbai – or to break up the epic train journey from Delhi to Goa (or vice-versa). The
The dorms are a… little bit tight, but they do come with privacy curtains and are new and solid, so it’s not all overly cosy. But you’ll also find one of the most colourful and welcoming rooftops in the city – complete with those hanging little egg chairs! Don’t be surprised if you end up spending hours up there 🙂
Airport Hostel By Bombay Backpackers
It’s another Mumbai backpackers hostel located near the airport, which again is great for convenience fans. This one, however, goes a step further, serving a nice hot breakfast in the mornings, which is definitely something we appreciate! Oh, and it’s also near the western train station.
Each bed comes with a locker AND a wardrobe (unusual but great), plus there’s a kitchen and common area you can use even after you’ve checked out if you’re waiting around for a flight. There’s also a female-only dorm making this a great hostel for female travellers in Mumbai.
Travellers Inn
It’s basic and small, but this top hostel in Mumbai is good because you can get to loads of top attractions from here, which is great if you wanna see all the sights and eat all the street food you can.
In what CAN be an expensive city, this is a great choice for a budget hostel in Mumbai. Plus you can meet some nice people here, backpackers like yourselves for instance. Of course, this is not exactly the sorta place you’ll stay for ages, but a couple of nights here is just fine.
Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Mumbai
Make sure good travel insurance is on your packing list!
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SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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FAQ about Hostels in Mumbai
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Mumbai:
What to Pack for your Mumbai Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
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Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
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Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Final Thoughts on Mumbai’s Hostels
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Mumbai has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure! This is a truly epic city and basing yourself in a comfortable and secure hostel is essential to a good stay.
I loved my time in Mumbai – it’s so, so much better than New Delhi and really gives a good impression of Indian megacities. A big part of my successful trip came down to the hostel I chose, so don’t overlook how important it is 🙂
Now all you gotta do is book the one that sounds best to you and head on out – one of the craziest cities in the world awaits!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in India for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Mumbai covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Mumbai if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Mumbai before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for India to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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